Slug and slug feeding apparatus



prl 28, 136.' o. H, GoETz SLUG AND SLUG FEEDING APPARATUS Filed March14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l 28,V 1936 o. H. GoETz 2,038,837

SLUG AND SLUG FEEDING APPARATUS Filed March 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2///)k/al (29m /03/02 /07 7,!!

Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 14,

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to slugs and slug feeding apparatus, andhas particular reference to devices wherein the slug is fed .into themachine by the movement of a slide or like feeding member. Coin feedingapparatus of this general type is extensively used in different coincontrolled amusement devices and games, repre-- sented, for example, bythe so-called pin games wherein rolling balls are deflected intonumbered pockets by variously arranged pins; also by miniature baseballgames, miniature boxers, target ranges, etc. It is desirable in manyinstances to have the feeding apparatus of these amusement devices andgames of such construction as to be voperable only when using authorizedslugs which are coded for use in that particular .type of machine or inthe particular machines operated by one proprietor.

'Ihe general object of the invention is to provide improved slug feedingapparatus of the type employing a reciprocating slide or like slugfeed-A ing member; also to provide improved slugs for use with thatapparatus. More specifically, this improved construction affords aAcoded arrangement between the feeding apparatus and the slug whichgives maximum protection against the use of unauthorized slugs or coins.

In this regard, it is one of the more specific objects of 'the inventionto provide an improved coded arrangement between the external peripheryof the slug and the internal periphery of the slug receiving aperturewhich is carried bythe feeding slide.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangementwherein the face of the slug is coded; i. e., to employ a code groove orrecess formed in one or both faces of the slug adapted to coact with amatching guard or ward in the form of a projection, finger or the likedisposed in the path of the slug as fed by the feeding apparatus.

Another object of the invention, as exemplified in one embodimentthereof, is to provide an iinproved apparatus which will be operableonly by a slug which combines peripheral coding and face coding.

Other objects of the invention are to provide improved apparatus whichwill prevent operation of the machine by coins or slugs which are eithertoo large or too small; which will prevent operation of the machine byunauthorized slugs having holes therein; and which will otherwiseincrease the dependability of this type of apparatus. Inthe'accompanying drawings illustratingcertain preferred embodimentsof myinventionz-s 1934, Serial No. 715,420

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view through a machine embodying myimproved slug feeding apparatus, this apparatus being illustrated inplan;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately onthe plane of the line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a front view of the feeding apparatus corresponding to asection taken on the plane of the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figures 4, 5, 6 and '7 illustrate fourV different forms of slugs eachincorporating distinctive peripheral coding;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan View of a modified construction offeeding apparatus for feeding slugs which are coded both on theirperipheries and on their faces;

Figure 9 is an edge View of such a slug;

Figure 10 is a face view thereof;

Figures 11 and 12 are detail views taken approximately on the plane ofthe line H-l I of Figure 8 and illustrating, in different positions, oneof the locking dogs for cooperating with the peripheral and facerecesses of' the slug;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating the coactionbetween such locking dogs and the slug;

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional View through another modifiedconstruction of feeding apparatus:

Figure 15 is a transverse se'ctional View taken approximately on theplane of the 'line I5-I 5 of Figure 14, but on a larger scale; Y

Figure 16 is a face View o-f the form of slug for use with the latterembodiment of feeding apparatus; and

Figure 17 is a face View of another slug having face coding on each sideso that the slug is re` versible.

The front casing wall of the slug controlled machine is fragmentarilyillustrated at 2|. The reciprocable slide which feeds the slugs into themachine is indicated at 22, this slide entering the casing 2l through anopening 23, said opening being covered by a face plate or cover fitting24.

The cover tting 24 is secured to the casing by screws 25 which are onlyremovable from the interior of the casing. Said fitting has a horizontalslot 26 therein, through which the slide 22 moves. The vertical flangeof an L-shaped bracket or plate 2l is secured to the back side of thecover plate 24 by rivets 28, as best shown in Figure 2. The rearwardlyextending horizontal portion of the member 21 lies above or flush withthe top edge of the slot 26 so that the slide 22 passes under 55 themember 21. 'I'he slide rests on a lower plate 29 which is spaced belowthe bracket member 21. The bracket memberV and plate are secured tosgether beyond the side margins of the slide 22 by terminatesubstantially at the front face of the cover fitting 24. 'Ihe plate 29`extends considerably to the rear of the cover iittingf24, and hasanupwardly bent flange 29e at its rear end, this flange having ahorizontal slot 29d punched `therein, through which the slider 22slides.

The limits'ofmovement of the slide are deter-f mined by a stop member inthe form lof aclip 32, Y

whichhas suitable :attachment to thefplate 26, as by thefscrew 33 andbyspur extensions 32' of the clip which are turned down Yinto slotspunched in the-plate 29. VTheadjacent margin of the slide 22 has a longrecess or4 slot 22a formed therein, terminating in shoulders 22h and22o. The out- Ward limit of movement of the slide is dened by theshoulder 2219r striking one end ofthe clip 32, Vand the inward limit ofmovement is defined by the other shoulder 22.c striking the other edgeof the'clip. The slideiis normally held in its outward position by atension spring 34 which has one end hooked to a lpinor aperture 35carried by the guide plate 29, and which has its other end hooked to a.pin' or projection 36 carried by the slide 22, this spring normallyholding the stop shoulder 22D against the stop clip 32.

The last bit of inward motion of the slide is adapted to effect thetripping, releasing kor actuating function, which setsfinto motion orinto operativeness the machine' or device controlled by the slugs. vTheinner extremity of the slide, or any suitable projection on the slide,maybe arranged to. perform this function; in the illustrativearrangement, a ypin 31 projects upwardly from the slide and is adaptedto engage and oscillate a crank arm or linger 38, such merely eX-emplifying typical apparatus to be actuated by the slide.

Cooperating with the other side edge of theY Y slide is a full-strokepawl 4| which functions in such a manner that after the slide hascompleted a certain amount of inward movement it cannot be retracteduntil its full inward stroke has been completed. This pawl is pivotallymounted on the stud 42 suitably carried by the'supporting plate 29. Anose 4| a projects from this pawl for swinging movement in a path whichintersects the adjacent edge of the slide. A tension'springY 43 isconnected between an armof this pawl and the flange 29o of thesupporting plate, the action of this spring being suchV as to tend toswing the nose 4|a into a position lying substantially at right anglestothe adjacent edge of the slide. A reversing notch 22d is formed inthis'edge of the slide preferably at a point which will dispose thisnotch slightly forward of the pawl when the -slide is in its forward orretracted position. .When the slide is pressed inwardly the nose 4ta ofthe pawl 0scillates into the reversing notch 22d and the pawl is swungaround with the continued inward movement of thev slide .until thepawlnose is oscillated out of the notch, in which position the pawl nosefaces rearwardly or oppositely to that shown, at

limit of its movement, a second reversing notchr 22j comes into registrywith the pawl nose 4|a.

move outwardly in its return motion, the pawl `oscillating through saidlatter notch to resume its former position, which is the positionillustrate Vin Figure 1.

Asbest shown in .Figure 2, the supporting` plate 25) is provided withthree Vholes 45, 46and 41, located at different points along its length.The

hole 45 is located outside of the casing 2 I, andthe other two holes, 46and 41, are located inside of the casing. The two inner holes dischargeinto any suitable coin receptacle or coin chute, such being typicallyrepresented by the space 48 defined between the front Acasing wall 2|and a rear wardly disposed wall 49.

The slide 22 has a'slug receiving aperture 5| which is adapted toregister in sequence with each of the holes 45, 46 andr 41. The outerhole 45 is positioned to lie beneath the slug conveying aperture '5|when the slide is in its normal position. Preferably, this outer hole isof `small diameter and its lprincipal purpose when of small size is toenable a tool to be inserted up through the hole for dislodging fromYthe slug conveying aperture `5| any coin or rslug which may have becomejammed therein. function of ejecting from the slug conveying aperture 5|any small spurious slugs or small coins, whereby to prevent'thefraudulent operation of 'the machine by such slugs `or coins. Forexample,

This notch is sufliciently wide and deep to permit V in machines/whereVthe coded slugs are intended to have a token value of. a nickel, it isdesirable that smaller slugs, pennies, etc., shall be incapable ofremaining in the vslug conveying aperture 5| for operating the machine.If the code projections extending inwardly from different peripheralpoints ofthe aperture 5| will permit the introduction of a penny between'the inner extremities of these code projections, the ejecting hole 46should be of sufficient size to result in the dumping of such penny fromthe conveying aperture as the latter passes over the ejecting hole 46.This ejecting hole can be made of anyV desired size or shape so long asthe side margins thereof adjacent to the sides of the supporting plate29 afford shelf supporting areas on which the side margins of anauthorized slug can ride.

In the preferred construction shown, the spurious into? the aperture 5|.The'third hole 41 is'rela- The first hole 45 s 40 The second hole 46 hasthek tively large and serves to discharge the authorized slugs into thereceptacle 48 when the'slide is approaching the inner limit of itsmovement.

For arresting the motion of the slide in the absence of an authorizedslug in the conveying aperture there is provided blocking mechanismincluding a testing finger 52 and a blocking dog 53 arranged above theslide directly back of the casing wall or cover fitting. The finger anddog oscillate vertically on a transverse pivot shaft 54 and they can beconnected together in any suitable manner, preferably by forming the twomembers as the side portions of a single U-shaped stamping so that theyare joined together by the back or connecting portions 55. A wire spring56 has its ends coiled around the pivot shaft 54 and hooked over thetesting nger 52 and blocking dog 53, with the intermediate portion ofthe spring bearing against the top of the mounting bracket 21, theaction of this spring being to swing the nger and dog downwardly. 'I'heends of the pivot shaft 54 are mounted in pivot lugs 51 projectingupwardly from the bracket 21. The testing finger is adapted to swingdown through a slot 58 which is punched in the mounting bracketsubstantially in the medial line of the slider 22, and the blocking dog53 is adapted to swing down through a slot 59 which is punched in thisbracket at a point above the marginal portion of the slide. The slidepresents a solid surface for engagement by the point of the testingnnger' 52 up to the aperture 5I. If an authorized slug is within thisaperture, the nger is maintained in its elevated position throughouttheentire inward stroke of the slide. If, however, the aperture 5| isempty, or if the token therein drops down through the ejecting hole 46,the finger promptly swings down into the aperture and enables theblocking dog 53 to also swing downwardly. This brings the nose of theblocking dog down into a notch 22h, in the adjacent margin of the slideso that further inward movement of the slide is blocked by the outershoulder of this notch abutting the front side of the blocking dog.Hence, the absence of a slug or the dumping of a spurious slug or coindown through the rejecting hole 46 will result inthe motion of the slidebeing blocked before it can complete its inward movement. The slide isretractible from this blocked position, however, for subsequentoperation by authorized slugs. It will be noted that the spring pressureexerted downwardly through the testing finger 52 will aid in dischargingdown through the rejecting hole 46 any improper token which does nothave shelf support at the sides of the hole 46. The location of thistesting finger is also such that, should any unauthorized slug having acentral hole therein be inserted in the machine, this finger will swingdown into said hole in the slug and block further movement of the slide.Should it be desired to provide the authorized slugs with central holes,for sorting purposes or the like, the testing finger 52 can bepositioned slightly to one side so that it will not enter these holes inthe slugs. Forwardly of the conveying aperture 5I, an inclined groove 6Islopes upwardly from the aperture to the top surface of the slide in themedian plane of the slide, this groove avoiding the presence of anyinterfering shoulder beyond the margin of the slug which might strikethe testing finger 52 if the authorized slug happended to be slightlythinner than the depth of the aperture 5I.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention,

I associate an ejecting and stopping device with the inner hole 41through which the authorized slugs are finally discharged into thereceptacle 48, this ejecting and stopping device being advantageous inaffording additional protection against unauthorized operation, althoughnot being essential to the successful use of the machine. Such devicecomprises a lever 64 having rockable mounting on a pivot shaft 65 andincluding a forwardly extending arm 64a and a rearwardly extending arm64b. The downturned end of the forwardly extending arm is disposedsubstantially above the center of the discharge hole 41 and, as viewedin plan, is disposed substantially medially of the slide, where a solidsurface of the slide will be presented to the point of the lever arm 64aextending up to the aperture 5 I. The rearwardly extending arm 64b isoffset laterally to lie in another plane, as shown in Figure 1. In thisother plane the slide is provided with a longitudinal slot 66terminating in a stop shoulder 66a at the forward end of the slot. Thepivot shaft 65 has its ends mounted in lugs 61 projecting from orcarried by the end flange 29o of the supporting plate 29. A coil spring68, mounted on the pivot shaft, tends to press the lever arm 64adownwardly against the top of the slide. When the slug arrives in itsdischargeable position over the 4discharge hole 41 the spring pressureacting downwardly through the lever arm 64a tends to press the slugdownwardly out of the aperture 5l. The slug arrives in this positionbefore the completion of the full operative stroke of the slide and, inthis position, the stop shoulder 66a is in close proximity to therearwardly extending lever arm 64b. If the spring pressure exerteddownwardly against the slug is not sufficient to discharge it throughthe hole 41, continued inward movement of the slide will cause the stopshoulder 66a to exert a camming pressure against the lever arm 64b forexerting mechanical pressure downwardly against the slug for causing itsdischarge. If this pressure is still insufficient to cause the releaseof the slug, the engagement of the stop shoulder 66a against the leverarm 64b Will prevent the slide from completing its full inward strokethrough the distance required to operate the actuating device 38. Theslide, however, may be pulled back out to its original position forreleasing the slug from the aperture at the front of the machine. Theabove described device prevents the fraudulent operation of the machineby wedging or sticking a slug-within the aperture 5l in such manner thatit will not drop out of said aperture, under which condition the machinecould be operated repeatedly with one slug. When this ejecting andstopping device 64 is employed, the full stroke mechanism is preferablyso arranged that the rst of the blocking notchesV 22e will not havereached the pawl 4l at the time that the lever arm 64b is in engagementwith the stopy shoulder 66a, preparatory to stopping further inwardmovement of the slide, should the ejecting device be incapable ofejecting the slug from the aperture 5I. Thus, if the slug cannot beejected down through the discharge opening 41 the slide can still beretracted back to its normal position for a forcible ejection of theslug from the front of the machine. The point at which the motion of theslide is arrested by any such jammed slug is short of the point at whichthe slide transmits operative movement to the actuating member 38.

'Referring now to the peripheral coding of the aperture 5l and itsauthorized slug, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1', theapertureY is Y the uniformly spaced teeth or projections 1l Vwith thealternating tooth spaces or recessesY 12. The authorized slug T4 forsuch recess is illustrated in Figure 4.l Its periphery has thealternating tooth spacesr '|5-and. tooth projections 16, which areadapted to have a relatively close matching t with the tooth projections'H and tooth spaces 'l2 in the aperture 5|. Where the slug 14 isV tohave the token value of al nickel the coding formation within theaperture 5| has a minimum diameter such as will preclude theintroduction of a nickel, or a plain slug of nickel size, into theaperture. That is to say, the points of the tooth projections '|.I inthe aperture 5| dene or circumscribe an inner diameter, which I havedesignated by the circle DI in Figure l, which circle is smaller thanthe diameter of a nickel or. of aY plain slug of nickel size. The bottomejecting hole 46 is of the same size as this circle DI, ,or slightlylarger. Hence a penny or any other token, which is receivable within thecircle D| defined by the points yof the tooth projections 1I, will passdown-through the ejecting hole 46 as soon as the aperture 5| moves overthe hole. It will be evident that a wide variety of coded arrangementscan be obtained by merely increasing or ldecreasing the total number oftooth projections around the slug 'I4 and the total number of toothspaces within the aperture 5|.l Another method of changing the codedarrangement is to increase or decrease the overall diameter of the slug14. 'This Vover-all diameter isdesignated by the outer circle D2 (Figure4) ldefined by the points of the tooth projections '16 of the slug. Theejecting hole 46 has a cross dimension measured transversely of thesupporting plate 29 which is less than this large diameter D2. The innerdiameter DI of the aperture can also be changed for changing the codedarrangement. In Ylocalities where there is prevalent use of telephoneslugs of the general pattern having a serrated periphery, substantiallyas illustrated in Figure 4, a differentiation may be effected bychanging the number of tooth projections 16 on the slug, or byincreasing or decreasing the outer diameter D2, so that the amusementslug is not usable in the telephone and so that the telephone slug isnot usable in the amusement device. Y

The peripheral coding may be obtained by other formations such as thoseillustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Y Figure 5 illustrates the slug andaperture as being ofpolygonal form, represented by a hexagon, Octagon,etc. The at code surfaces i8 dened within the conveying aperture 5lcircumscribe or outline Vthe aforesaid inner circle or minimum diameterD|,Vwhich is smaller than a nickel, so that a-nickel or plain slug ofnickel size cannot be inserted into the aperture. The twoVdiametricallyY opposite points 19, 19 of the slug lying on a diameterextending transversely of the motion of the slide establish points orareas for shelf-support along the lateral margins of the ejecting hole46. j

In Figure 6 the aperture 5| is provided with one or moreinwardlyrextending projections 8|, the remainder of the aperture betweensaid projections being smooth. The slug has matching recesses 82 adaptedto register with the projections 8|. The inner circle or minimumdiameter DI is circumscribed within the points of the projections 8|,the ejecting hole 46 having a transverse dimension corresponding to thisdiameter. The portions 83 ofthe slug projecting outwardly beably bearranged at an angle to the direction of K Y motion of the slide so thatthe extending portions 85 ofr the slug projecting beyond the innerdiameter D| will be so located that they will ride on the shelfsupporting areas at the margins of the ejecting hole 46.

From the preceding description of the different peripheral codeformations of Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, itv will'be seen thatv threefeatures are prevalent in the different embodiments:

circumscribe aninner circle DI which is smaller than a nickel so that anickel cannot be used; second, the ejecting hole 46 is` of substantiallythe same size as this inner diameter DI so that whatever coin or tokencan be inserted within said inner diameter DI will be ejected downthrough the discharge hole 46; and, third, irrespective ef the formationof the authorized-slug, when such slug is in itsY proper position in theapertureV 5| it should have side portions in position to ride upon orhave shelf support on the side margins of the ejecting hole 46. Figure 4illustrates this relation: The aforesaid shelf supporting areas at thesides of the ejecting hole 46 are designatedVV 86. 'I'he dash and dotlines 8'! indicate the lines beyond which the authorized slug shouldhave some portion of its coded periphery extending in a directiontransverse to the direction of motion of the slide for riding on theshelf supporting areas-86. lslug of Figure'l were arranged at rightangles to Vthe position shown, with no portion of the slug projectinglaterally beyond the minimum diameter DI or the space between the lines81, there would be no support for the travel of the authorized slug overthe ejecting hole 46, and such slug would be ejected down through thehole.

In Figures 8 to 13,- inclusive, I have illustrated a'modied constructionwhich combines face coding of the slug with peripheral coding thereof.The face coding is shown as comprising two parallel slots or groovesy 9|extending across one face of the slug 14a. At both ends of each groovethe metalV is punched entirely through the depth of the slug to formtheY recesses 92.extending into the ends of the grooves 9|. As bestshownin Figures 11 and l2, the inner ends of these recesses 92 formabutmentshoulders 93. It is necessary that when the slug -is introducedinto the conveying aperture 5|'the face grooves 9| Ybe parallel with thedirection of motion of the slide. This is insured by providing codeprojections 94 extending inwardlyv from one or more points in Vtheperiphery of the aperture 5| for reception in correspondingly shapedrecesses 95 in the edge of the slug. These projections and Yrecesses 94,95 preclude the introduction of the slug into the aperture 5| in anyposition other than with the grooves 9| aligned with the direction ofmotion ,of the slide. The projections 94 and recesses v95 also establishperipheral coding between the First, the projections extending inwardlyvfrom the aperture 5| For example, if the aperture for the 'Y apertureand the authorized slug, this coding preslug of nickel size into 'theaperture', as previously described. Other peripheral coding arrangementsmay be employed. if desired. The face grooves 9| and the peripheralrecesses 92 and shoulders 93 code the slug with respect to motion so asto control the ability to reciprocate the slide 22 inwardly to the fulllength of its stroke.

This coding against motion utilizes two arresting pawls 91, 91 which arepivotally mounted within the casing 2| in planes coincident with thevertical planes of the code grooves 9|, 9| in the slug. The two pawlsare pivotally mounted on a transverse shaft 98 having its ends supportedin lugs 99 extending upwardly from the bracket member 21. Coil springs I0 Ifencircle the shaft 98 and have their ends arranged to urge theextremities of the pawls downwardly. Each pawl .extends downwardlythrough a relatively wide slot |02 provided inthe bracket plate 21 inthe plane of each p awl. The slide 22 is provided with two parallelslots |03, |03 punched entirely through the body of the slide andextending from the inner side of the aperture 5| toward the rear end ofthe slide. These slots are in the same longitudinal planes as the sluggrooves 9| and the arresting pawls 91. Extending forwardly or outwardlyfrom the other side of the aperture 5| are grooves |03', |03 which areformed in the slide in the same longitudinal planes as the slots |03,the outer ends of these grooves sloping upwardly to the surface of theslide, as shown in Figures 1l and 12. Each pawl carries a transverse pin|04 which has its ends projecting from opposite sides of the pawl. Theslots |02 are made suiciently wide to allow the projecting ends of thesepins to pass down therethrough. The lower slots |03 formed within theslide are only slightly wider than the thickness of each pawl, and hencethe ends of the pins |04 can ride on the top surface of the slide alongthe margins of these slots |03. Such relation utilizes the top surfaceof the slide as a gauge surface for determining how far the extremitiesof the pawls extend down into the slots |03, this being one manner ofgauging, although not an essential practice as the lower extremities ofthev pawls might rest on a flat lower surface below the slide. Forexample, if an ejecting hole 46 is provided which extends below thepawls 91, the use of an upper gauge surface is desirable. The slots |03may be made of sufiicient length so that the extremities of the pawlsnormally lie in these slots when the slide is in its normal retractedposition, or the pawls may be arranged to drop into these slots shortlyafter the slide starts its inward movement.

Each pawl is formed with a relatively narrow nose extremity |06 which iscapable of entering the peripheral recess 92 and face groove 9| in theslug, the remainder of the pawl above this nose being wider than saidrecess and groove. The front side of the nose forms an abrupt arrestingshoulder |01 adapted to lie in the path of movement of the slug. Thelaterally extendingY shoulders |08 at the upper end of the reduced noseportion |06 are sloped to form inclined cam surfaces. These cam surfacesare adapted to be engaged by the top edge of the authorized slugsubstantially at the points |09, |09 (Figure 13) adjacent to the innermargins of the recesses 92 or grooves 9|.

The two pawls 91, 91- function to arrest the motion of the slide 22should any unauthorized slug or token not having the face and peripheralcoding 9 92 be inserted into the conveying aperture 5|. For instance,the introduction of any unauthorized slug having the peripheral codingVwould result in such slug moving inwardly with the slide until the solidedge portion of the slug encountered the two abutment shoulders |01 ofthe two pawls, whereupon further motion ofthe slug and slide would bearrested. Similarly,any coin or token receivable within the` innerdiameter DI dened by the peripheral code projections 94 ofthe aperturewould still present a solid edge to the shoulders |01 of the pawls, withthe result that the motion of the slide would be arrested. Likewise, ifany slug having the face grooves 9|, but not having the peripheralrecesses 92 (substantially like the slug illustrated in Figure 16)should be inserted into the aperture, the solid edge portions of theslug would strike the shoulders |01 of the pawls before any lift couldbe transmitted through the cam surfaces 08 to the pawls. However, Whenthe authorized slug of Figure 10 moves rearwardly in the slide, the noseextensions |06 of the pawls are accommodated within the peripheralrecesses 92 as the slug continues its rearward movement. Before theshoulders 93 at the inner ends of these recesses 92 strike the shoulders|01 of the pawls, the points |09 on the advancing top edge of the slughave encountered the cam surfaces |08 and are lifting the pawlsupwardly..

The parts are so proportioned that this cam lifting action raises theextremity of each pawl just sufficient to clear the shoulder 93, so thatduring continued rearward movement of the slug the nose of the pawlrides in the associated groove 9|. The rear points of the cam surfaces|03 ridev on the side margins 9|', 9 of each groove 9| so that the pawlis held in elevated position as the other side of the slug passesbeneath the pawls, the pawls riding up through the inclined grooves |03to the surface of the slide during the latter part of the actuatingstroke.

The two pawls 91, 91 may be utilized to block the motion of the slide inthe complete absence of any slug or token in the aperture 5|, as byhaving the shoulders |01 of the two pawls engage the opposite or outeredge of the aperture, as for example the shoulders or surfaces at theinner ends of the slop-ing grooves |03. An alternative or supplementaryarrangement for blocking the motion of the slide in the absence of anauthorized slug in the aperture includes the use of the previouslydescribed testing finger 52 and blocking dog 53, substantially in therelation illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The linger and the dog can beconstructed as a single U-shaped member, with the back part of themember extending around one of the pawls 91. As before described, thedog 53 is adapted to swing down into a notch 22h in the adjacent marginof the slide for encountering the shoulder at the outer end of thisnotch if it should be attempted to push the slide inwardly without anyslug in the aperture 5|. This blocking function would be arranged tooccur before the shoulders in the aperture 5| couldk 'I'heblocking tooccur as if no token were in the aperture, because the pawls will thenVengage the shoulders on each side of the token.. As a. furthersafeguard, the first hole 45 and the inter-- Vil() sufficiently small topass between the pawls. As aboveremarked, the plate 29 may be solidbelow the pawls 91, or the ejecting hole 46 may be provided, havingY thewidth Vand. ejecting relationY described of Figure 4. Where the ejectinghole is employed itmay be positioned or extended more forwardly, so thatsmall spurious tokens will be ejected through this hole before the edgesof such tokens forcibly abut against the shoulders |01 of the pawls.

The code combination for the above described construction can be readilychanged by changing eitherthe'number of face grooves 9| in the surfaceof the slug or the spacing between Vthe grooves or both, andcorrespondingly changing Ythe number ofpawls 91 or their transversespacing on the shaft' 98. The peripheral coding 94, 95 can also bechanged for different combinations. The fullstroke kmechanism 4I, etc.cooperates with this embodimentI in substantially the manner previouslydescribed, and the ejecting and stopping device 64, etc. can also beassociated with this embodiment if desired.

In the construction shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16, the slug 14h hasface coding in the form of two parallel grooves I| I5 extending acrossthe face of the slug, and has peripheral coding in the form ofrecessesr95 adapted to register with projections 94 in the conveyingaperture 5|. The blocking means coacting with the grooves I5 consist ofa stationary plate I6 having depending lugs ||1 adapted toregister withthe grooves. The plate I I6 is fxedly mounted behind the cover plate 24,preferably being secured between this cover plate and the verticalflange of the L-shaped bracket 21. The top surface of the slide 22 Visprovided with two parallel grooves 8 which are spaced to vregister withthe grooves I I 5 in the slug. The grooves I I8 extend inwardlybeyond'the aperture 5|-, as shown in Figure 14, and extend outwardlyVarranged adjacent to the ejecting hole 46 for blocking continuedmovement of the slide in the absence of an authorized slug within theaperture 5| ,substantially as described of the embodiment illustrated inFigures 1 and 2. Here, again,

the code combination can be changed by varyingY the `number of grooves|I5 and the spacing between Ythese grooves, with corresponding Vvaria-Vtions of the registration lugs I I1; also, by varying the peripheralcoding 94, 95. The full stroke mechanism 4|, etc., and the ejecting andstopping mechanism 64, etc., can also be employed with this embodiment.The ejecting hole 46 has the samerwidth and ejecting relation aspreviously described in connection with Figure` 4.

In Figure 17 I have shown a slug 14o which is Y somewhat similar to thatshown Vin Figure 16,

but which is reversible so that it will operate with either side up.'Two parallel grooves |2I, |22 are formed in one face of the slug, thegroove |2|v being vadjacentto one edge and the groove |22 being adjacentto the middle. On-'the reverse side of the slug two similar grooves |2|and |22 are provided in the Vsame spaced relation but shiftedfsothai-fthe erom/e I2 is located ladjacent to the V'opposite edge and thegroove |22 is 1ocated tothe opposite side of the middle. The lugs ||1 onthe plateY I6 would of course have this same relation'to the slot 26.YIt will be evident that either side 'of the slug can be turned up `forpassing'through the slot 26 when the slug is turned over about an axisparallel with the grooves. The periphery of the slug has two codenotches- |23 therein for registration with correspondingly placed codeprojections (like the code projections 94) in the aperture 5I. Theangular lrelation of the code notches |23 insures that the grooves I2I,.|22 Vor |2I, |22."wil1 be lined up parallel to the motion of the slideand in proper transverse relation when either side of the slug isuppermost in the aperture; When using this .typeV of slug having codegrooves in both faces of the slug, I may alsoV provide a bottom pair ofstation# ary codeprojections ||1 arranged to extend up from thesupporting plate 29 for reception in the bottom grooves of the slug, inthe same way that the top code projections ||1 are received Within thetop grooves of the slug. The slug would stillbe reversible when usingthe upper and lower pairs of code lugs |1. 22 would also have a bottompair of grooves or recesses I8 in alignment with the bottom grooves ofthe slug.

While I have illustrated and described what I regard to be the preferredembodiments of myy invention, nevertheless it will be understood thatsuch are merely exemplary and that numerous modifications andrearrangements may be made without departing fro-m the essence of theinvention. For example, the Youter holey 45 in each of the abovedescribed embodiments may be made to have an ejecting function like thethe hole 46,

by giving this outer hole 45 substantially the same width as the circleDI, particularly when using coded slugs which doV not have a largenumber of peripheral projections which might become jammed in said hole45 in any slanting introduction of the slug. :It will also be understoodthat in adapting the mechanism to the use of authorized slugs" having atoken value other than a nickel, such as for slugs having the tokenvalue of a quarter, Vappropriate changes can be readilyV made inproportions for precluding the introduction of spurious coins and slugsinto the aperture 5|, `or for ejecting such spurious coins and slugsfromsaid aperture, represented, for example, by nickels, pennies anddimes and unauthorizedF slugs, without departing from the invention.

I claimz- 1. In slug controlled apparatus including ahousing havingmechanism therein adapted vto be operated, the combination of asupporting plate, a slide reciprocable on said plate and includingactuating means adapted toroperate said mechanism, a slug conveyingaperture lin said slide, said slide being movable from a normal positionwhere said aperture is outsideof said housingto a 'completely actuatedposition where said aperture is inside of said housing and where saidmechanism has been operated by said actu,-Y

u ating means, 'an `authorized slug having the token value of a nickeladapted for insertion into said aperture, a code formation in the edgeof said aperture Vincluding code projections extending inwardly andcircumscribing an inner circle of smaller diameter Vthan a nickel sothat a nickel cannot be inserted into-,said aperture, an eject-` inghole in said supporting plate positioned to eject unauthorized/tokensfrom said conveying j The under side of the slide u 'aperture beforesaid slide can be moved to its completely actuated position, the widthof said ejecting hole measured transversely with respect to the motionof said slide being substantially the same as the diameter of said innercircle, whereby any token receivable within the area of said innercircle will be discharged through said ejecting hole, the side marginsof said ejecting hole defining shelf areas extending parallel to themotion of said slide, a code formation in the periphery of saidauthorized slug matching with the code formation in said aperture, thecode formation in said slug including portions extending beyond saidinner circle in a' direction transverse with respect to the motion ofsaid slide for support on the shelf areas at the side margins of saidejecting hole, mechanism for blocking the motion of said slide in theabsence of a slug in said aperture or in the event of the ejection of anunauthorized slug or' token through said ejecting hole, a lever disposedin said housing and pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, one arm ofsaid lever being arranged to exert positive ejecting pressure'againstsaid slug for ejecting it from said aperture prior to said actuatingmeans causing the normal operation of said mechanism, and a shoulder onsaid slide adapted to engage the other arm of said lever for causingslug ejecting motion of said lever, said shoulder and lever blocking themotion of said slide short of the point where said slide effects normaloperation of said mechanism if said lever is incapable of ejecting theslug from said aperture.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a stationarysupport, a slide reciprocable on said support between innermost andoutermost positions, a conveying aperture in said slide adapted toreceive an authorized slug when said slide is in its outermost position,an authorized slug having the token value of a nickel adapted forinsertion into said aperture, a codeformation in the edge of saidaperture including code projections extending inwardly and precludingthe introduction of a nickel into said aperture, a code formation in theperiphery of said authorized slug matching with the code formation insaid aperture, an ejecting hole in said stationary support positioned toeject unauthorized tokens from said conveying aperture before said slidehas been reciprocated to its innermost position, said ejecting holebeing of a size to eject from said aperture tokens which are receivablebetween the inner extremities of the code projections in said aperture,but being incapable of ejecting authorized slugs from said aperture,means responsive to the absence of a slug in said aperture for arrestingmotion of said slide towards its innermost position, and ejecting andstopping mechanism comprising a lever pivotally mounted intermediate itsends, one arm of said lever being arranged to exert positive ejectingpressure against said slug for ejecting it from said aperture when saidslide is approaching its innermost position, and a shoulder on saidslide adapted to engage the other arm of said lever for causing slugejecting motion of said lever, said shoulder and lever blocking themotion of said slide short of its innermost positionif said lever isincapable of ejecting the slug from said aperture.

3. In slug controlled apparatus including a housing having mechanismtherein adapted to be operated, the combination of a supporting plate, aslide reciprocable on said plate and including actuating means Iadaptedto operate' said mechanism, a slug conveying aperture in said slide,said slide being movable from a normal position where said aperture isoutside ofsaid housing to a completely actuated position where saidaperture is inside of said housing and where said mechanism has beenoperated by said actuating means, a pawl mounted within said .nousingand operable to engage the edge of an unauthorized token within saidaperture before said slide has been moved toits completely actuatedvposition, and an authorized slug receivable in Said aperture and havinga code groove formed in one face thereof for receiving said pawl.

4. In slug controlled apparatus, the combination of a movable memberadapted to have a predetermined range of movement, slug conveying meansmoving therewith, an authorized slug adapted to be conveyed thereby,said slug hav-l ing a code groove formed therein extending across one ofthe flat faces of said slug, a pawl adapted to block motion of saidmovable member when engaging the edge of an unauthorized slug, and a camsurface on said pawl engaged by a portion of said authorized slug formoving the nose of i said pawl into said code groove.

5. In slug controlled apparatus, the combination of a movable memberadapted to have a predetermined range of movement, slug conveying meansmoving therewith, an authorized slug adapted to be conveyed thereby,said slug having a code groove extending across one of the flat facesthereof and having a notch extending through the entire thickness ofsaid slug at one end of said groove, a pawl disposed in the path ofmovement of said slug conveying means for arresting motion of saidmovable member when conveying an unauthorized slug, the nose of saidpawl being receivable in the notch of said authorized slug, and a camsurface on said pawl engaged by the edge of said authorized slug forraising the nose of said pawl into said code groove.

6. In slug controlled apparatus, the combinal tion of a movable memberadapted to have a predetermined range of movement, a slug receivingaperture therein, an authorized slug for reception therein having a codegroove extending across one of the flat faces of said slug, a codeformation in said aperture and a code formation on said slug compellingthe reception of said slug in said aperture in position with said grooveextending parallel to the line of movement of said movable member, and amember having blocking coaction against the edge of an unauthorized slugbut receivable in said code groove of the authorized slug for permittingcontinued movement of said movable member.

'7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a stationarysupport, a movable member adapted to have a predetermined range ofmovement relatively to said support, a slug receiving aperture insaid'movable member, an authorized slug for reception therein having acode groove extending across one of the flat faces of said slug, a codedevice carried by said support having blocking coaction against the edgeof an unauthorized slug but receivable in said code groove of theauthorized slug for permitting continued movement of said movablemember, and a recess in said movable member coextensive with the codegroove in said slug for accommodating said code device through thepredetermined range of movement of said movable member.

'e'. In apparatus 'of "the class described, the

Vcombination ofV a stationary'supportl amovable member adapted to 'havea predetermined range efV movement;4 relatively to said support, a. slugreceiving aperture. in said movable member, an authorized slug forreception therein having a code groove extending across one of' theflaty faces ofiaidy Slug and having a code groove extending across theother'of said flat faces, a code device carried by said support havingblocking coaction against the edge of an unauthorized slug but. re-

'for compelling the reception of said slug in said i aperture inposition with one of said grooves eX- Y tending parallel to the line ofmovement of said movable member irrespective of which side of said slug,is uppermost.

OSCAR, H. GOETZ'. 1Q;

